Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams, 1941 - Part 12

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Part of Quest:
Love Letters - Letters between Malcolm William Keshan and Dorothy Williams
Subject:
  • Love Letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.14
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

megt on rrmne w MOOMIYOE c RECEIVED TELEGRAM MONETORDEN LCORAn to t Words Obce of Oneia Time losged 2STDMT 48 11 s TOM 1 TETTT ACTING SRAEANT KSHNMSSIN I RORS THAT HMIOGT ACTINE SKREEANT HALCOLN WILLLN REPORTED MISSING TTE MINISTER DATHE MTER MHMSME MMS 2590 a ancanon 5 a& cllg
S & is happy to actnowte a brances to na& advor LWS
Alllian of Bipgs Seon Dealery w34 Aut Sunday 22/5/24 My Dear Mar The there sell t son an you guy And where at whese are you. I think Oue given up queasing where you lnegh be stationed Its ust so goo for the els tulet, when bed news of that place wes thoough So Ii stell haping for you har. see wathing the pass farary ward rom you I haven have a letter for, I amd he an a month hand. Btevenr so, if your receving my stuell my sear, whals new? Has any istiting leave treps lanly ? lo are you will lanly a the thik of you and be, by sew dg King are paelly canbll har, but we aver here don seem dounsed any We seen prepased for bee rues if is should come, bus the eld ther is will up where almost seneps the acloy when I wall aes a rear Ithere a ensucus recoveling daue going on as the cosons Land speakers are exllig in the streets to pen up on if that Impessible, to put all your imoney into we saving euaficates levery Fresay then is saue daue for Compores sund what nas s oer spend the day anying warm selling badges, in spite of whi
2 by the end of the day: wa you cmots be seasing the H pepelers clrying to work ai a huage Rut to day pee to nanow is the way it goes But if tto helping you lass senclow is then its Ot Ase well you do me a favour? An shauld Dsay another favour chaw prouse you will If there is any little thing I can send you papers magagin on anything you need; will you tell in this is very umporland tar (plch laughing & only hae what you wan Le be ket, bet as it is, Im completly ien the daak as to what you reed They sells us in the papers who to sead & then the and lay I read letters from cad condin to necus inewspapers, in which they pleas ina to sene iss a as its resereally requised Doa y next letter don' farges! make a lic of things you cae as well has enly meusuties, but anything at all thas you mmay wand and anather thing tas, daul Ladely I have been wandering if Than bean asdressing your letters crasetly o is to put Dgt a them and staued they have a cw humae on them as well as the seal You dedn's put anything extre on your letters so Tmchan is med be alsight. But lets know har well you In wacking this, under difficulties In apaid my little shadow (an three yu da beassie)
wel iee on dalking o coe while Iur as this asking me why and waiting who ane dividing to laed was to write (To a saldier) what seldier? (You dais know him dear his neve is hroe? where is he (way ases the selan Cilleen- godness knows where) How much wee are you gaing to write (Idm's know satil I au and of things to cay Isuppese) An you giing tto finish that page. (Ol heaveng why were hids inented) will you play with my dallie now (l Kelp Run ancuse play willen) etnding letters & anwering questions jus wand nx tule have te accht a bety after we a settle Beyle hane Gally Mor, shis a taut Thefunry lettle ways Eve never know she gaing to do re Daadie say his ging to haw I aselway stations tasking fer deserted beliee. If he weas an wit as like he daes with Buxe, then its a mmeasile we were wer allowed to graw up as all Sence San lefewash, wwive been fuightfully benyg But Iamul rather be bury auaing ascund from mine until fine, than setting accund trisaly my thnks when saes busy, these is as tee to think aloud things Things like wonder where he is Is he alright. (Dens ack we whe he is dumber Ill gump on you if you as thats all Gosrge gus ento haullsn Men Mandays Mas I
ficked and the Pea, in which the saticle ar how ADo officers are made, appears. Did you wea see the plietes Mar? If Dremember nightly you had left before the sie was painded. On anyway do caving is for you mas tel you git back do you thiak it will be really that long hree? Its ore meath lessany Ma, I cane fell when yuill receive this letter Do See have to keep weeking you many Hapty Returas undl Igo past June 24th Do in case it is the 24th daal Many Happy Redesn to ex and may you reat bushday be apes leaen sed Ancu when I case telly indeed of wille you M. H.R Oia its cslanly cald has Don you wk you were beach among the gras clean aiss aread In the sun to regh that the buggess every to ae leas besenged in Tabauh consisted of heat bandan, due and fles. An theyeating you too You need trea weethere He never messes na ea Justhe wad bea fa cattes that's all seeed- why ale you you up Sees you di keep asking didn's D. And lay, if its a matter of asking. Dee certainly find & efter wendery don you, whas ald man leasen ms think ofsene of the letters he reads. Bethe
calls inee of them strack, but all bet too, that he rreceives the same hind himself Idonsency hiw his get though This is the 5th page pur In afraid Ini stumpe simed Alseady I have run out opnews, so Twill have to keep any last imte pieces until near week Im hoping to near from you seen, but Irealie He difficulties epuse having, and as long as gaine getting nail Dee ses concensed Than dar fangd m favou well you Clan's put re off You mue admis that Idens ack much (much] Go yourmart till on tee thee ras wrt then, so long siced te and take case we you lenyere here a here sends hinders regards also Betty, whof ack afe yy, alsng with hana Aats of tlone ispea beg cheenie As Eeven Sincerely Decathy Dec you got the other phaes Mar See
Miss bel 1510 20 1M t Ao HHX 11067 Sgt. Keshan M. M ly Bo. 9 a 8. Abroad&
A
Son D Williams 37 Bynes Staus Kecley N3D Aut Shunday 29/5/41 Dear Dir Sells ten asse, ha thing St the calsent ng hea whats it like there? As precent. In setting in frend of the fene, goting iny haw days waiting to you at the same tene Toais duon gvery for to righ becaue the heas &f this few is grasually piaking core aff to sleep, bat 4 d gat a fav lives done, Dear finish the ether sex pages lo nema Hew are you my Mac? I still and know where you are, on what yrire doing, for I haven's had word hem you for weeks next. However, very day being o tuer to reeveng an 200 matter for late t ye asting as I get it, In satisfied Is haadly any use aiking whas you are dang You may te in Libga, Paliatere, on lacte Hons think an old dck in the nud but In haping its Palictar There anly canels, way and peas to vsiny you there In na gave to think you sip be in Caste Thas place nest be worn tlan Hill (pardon the language filve a all praying that our argass. the ses can hald on to in spite of the terific dang they are getting was newover here is namly contederound the anking of the Bunarh a fewdays ago, and Presisend Rossends speek last Monday Resenge is seet they say and when appled to the sinking of Gonanp begges pattedy tley an paetly right havrally when the ecos even under

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. - POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. 
FUNDS MAY BE QUICKLY, SAFELY AND 
ECONOMICALLY TRANSFERRED BY  
MONEY ORDER TELEGRAM. 
(PLEASE TURN OVER.) 
RECEIVED TELEGRAM 
The first line of this telegram contains the following  
particulars in the order named. 
T.O. 42.     
OFFICE DATE STAMP 
Sent at ........ 
Ch'nf No ......... 
By ........... 
ASHFIELD N.S.W. 30MY41 
Office of Origin. 
2 SYDNEY  
Words. 
48 /1 
Time Lodged. 
1 41p 
No. 
POSTAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DELIVERY 
PERSONAL. 
Remarks.   Sch. C.2233. - 11/1938 
This message has been received subject to the Post and Telegraph Act 
and Regulations. 
The time received at this office is shown at the end of the message. 
The date stamp indicated the date both of lodgement and of reception 
unless otherwise shown after the particulars of time lodged. 
To  MR JOHN KESHAN 
15 SHEPHERD ST 
ASHFIELD. 
                                                                                            
52777 ACTING SERGEANT KESHAN MISSING   I REGRET TO INFORM YOU  
THAT NX11067 ACTING SERGEANT MALCOLM WILLIAM KESHAN HAS BEEN  
REPORTED MISSING THE MINISTER FOR THE ARMY AND THE MILITARY 
BOARD EXTEND SINCERE SYMPATHY 
MINISTER FOR THE ARMY 
1 59pEA

 

APPRECIATION. 
  
The Post Office is happy to acknowledge the ready help 
which it receives from business firms.  At no point is that help 
more valuable than in the posting of correspondence at frequent 
intervals instead of as an accumulation at the end of the day. 
  
Early posting lessens the strain on the Post Office Organisation,  
improves conditions for the staff and ensures the maintenance  
of extended mail closing times. 
  
NOTE. - the standard time for the Eastern States of Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania) 
 is half an hour in advance of the standard time for South Australia and two hours in advance of the standard 
time for Western Australia. 

 

From D Williams 
37 Byrnes Street, 
Bexley  N.S.W. Aust. 
Thursday 22/5/41 
  
My Dear Mac, 
Hi there sweet! How are you going? And
where oh where are you? I think I've given up
guessing where you might be stationed.  It's not so
good for the old ticker, when bad news of that place
comes through.  So I'm still hoping for you Mac,
& still watching the post for any word from you. 
I haven't had a letter for, it must be over a
month now. But even so, if you're receiving my
letters I won't mind half as much. 
Well my dear, what's new?  Had any interesting
leave  - trips lately?  Or are you well & truly in
the thick of it.  You must be, by now, I guess.  
Things are pretty terrible Mac, but we over here
don't seem daunted any. We seem prepared for
bad news if it should come, but the old chin is
well up (mine almost scrapes the ceiling when I
walk into a room) There's a enormous recruiting
drive going on at the moment.  Loud speakers are
yelling in the streets to join up or if that's
impossible, to put all your money into war
savings certificates.  Every Friday there is some
drive for Comforts Fund & what not & men spend
the day dodging women selling badges, in 'spite' of which

 

2. 
by the end of the day, everyone seems to be wearing
one.  Its hopeless trying to work out a budget.  Rich
to'day - poor to-morrow is the way it goes.  But
 if it's helping you lads somehow - then it's O.K. 
Mac will you do me a favour?  Or should I say
another favour?  Now promise you will!  If there is
any little thing I can send you - papers, magazines
or anything you need, will you tell me?  This
is very important Mac (Stop laughing!)  If I
only knew what you want I'd be set, but as it
is, I'm completely in the dark as to what you need.
They tell us in the papers what to send & then the
next thing, I read letters from soldiers sent in to
various newspapers, in which they plead not to 
send so & so as its not really required.  So in your
next letter don't forget!  Make a list of things you
could do with, not only necessities, but anything
at all that you may want. 
And another thing too, darl.  Lately I have been
 wondering if Ihave been addressing your letters
 correctly.  Is it write right to put Sgt. on them and
 should they have a Div. number on them as well
 as the rest?  You didn't put anything extra on
your letters so I reckon it must be alright.  But
lets know Mac will you? 
I'm writing this, under difficulties Im' afraid, 
my little shadow (our three year old "boarder") 

33 

3. 
will insist on talking to me while Im' at this -  
asking me "Why am I writing" - "Who am I writing  
to" ("Cause I want to write") ("To a soldier".) "What  
soldier?" ("You don't know him dear, his name  
is Mac") "Where is he" (Way across the ocean  
Eilleen - goodness knows where.") "How much more  
are you going to write" (I don't know - until I run  
out of things to say I suppose) "Are you going to  
finish that page" (Oh heavens, why were kids  
invented) "Will you play with my dollie now?"  
(Oh Help! Run outside & play Eilleen) writing letters  
& answering questions just won't mix. 
We'll have to adopt a baby after we send little  
Beegle home. Golly Mac, she's a trick. The funny  
little ways - we never know what she's going to do next. 
Daddie says he's going to haunt railway stations  
looking for deserted babies. If he went on with  
us like he does with Beegle, then it's a miracle  
we were even allowed to grow up, at all. 
Since Joan left work, we've been frightfully busy. 
But I'd much rather be busy - running around  
from nine until five, than sitting around twiddling  
my thumbs. When one's busy, there is no time to  
think about things. Things like "wonder where he  
is". "Is he alright." (Don't ask me who "he" is,  
dumbey. I'll jump on you if you do, that's all.) 
George goes into Narellan next Monday, Mac. I

 

4 
fished out the Pice, in which the article on how A.I.F  
officers are made appears. Did you even see the  
photos Mac? If I remember rightly you had left 
 before the issue was printed. But anyway Im' 
saving it for you Mac, 'til you get back. Do you  
think it will be really that long Mac? It's one  
month less anyway. 
Mac, I can't tell when you'll receive this letter.  
So Ill' have to keep wishing you many Happy  
Returns until I get past June 24th. So just in  
case it is the 24th darl. - Many Happy Returns  
to you. - and may your next birthday be 
spent home in good old Ausie when I can tell you 
instead of write you M.H.R. 
Brrr it's certainly cold Mac. Don't you wish  
you were back among the good clean air. I read  
in the "Sun" to-night that the biggest enemy to  
our lads beseiged in Tobruk consisted of heat,  
boredom, dust and fleas. Are they eating you  
too. You need Dad over there. He never misses  
out on a flea. Just the world's best flea catcher,  
that's all. 
Sweet - why did you join up? Told you I'd  
keep asking didn't I. And boy, if it's a matter of  
asking, I'll certainly find out! 
I often wonder, don't you, what old man Censor  
must think of some of the letters he reads.  Bet he

 

5   
calls most of them trash, but I'll bet too, that he 
receives the same kind himself. I don't envy him, his job 
though. 
 This is the 5th page, but Im' afraid I'm stumped 
sweet. Already I have run out of news, so I will 
have to keep any last minute pieces until next week. 
I'm hoping to hear from you soon, but I realise 
the difficulties you're having, and as long as you're 
getting mail Ill' rest contented. 
Please don't forget my favour will you? 
(Don't put me off!) You must admit that I don't 
ask much (much!) so you must tell me Mac. 
Until next week then, so long sweet. Be good 
and take care won't you. Everyone here at home 
sends kindest regards - also Betty, who often 
asks after you, along with Norma. 
Lots of love & Great big cheerio 
As ever  xxx 
xxx  
Sincerely Dorothy 
  
P.S. Did you get the other photos 
 Mac? 
Dot xx

 

BY AIR MAIL 
PAR AVION  
Sydney 4-PM                      
8  23 MAY   8
1941                                       
N.S.W.AUST 
I C NOT WITH 2/4 BN.

No.  NX11067,                        
Sgt. Keshan M.W. 
"A" COY 2/4th Bn., 
A.I.F 
Abroad  
Missing  
Rec POW

 

S.A.G 
F.P.O. 
-9.JL.41.9-10A 
E.611

 

From D. Williams 
37 Byrnes Street, 
Bexley  N.S.W. Aust. 
Thursday 29/5/41 
  
Dear Mac, 
Hello there darl, how's things? It's the coldest night 
here, what's it like there? At present, Im' sitting in front 
of the fire, getting my hair dry & writing to you at the same 
time. Fraid I won't get very far to-night because the heat of 
this fire is gradually putting me off to sleep, but if I get 
a few lines done, I can finish the other six pages to-morrow.
How are you my Mac? I still don't know where 
you are, or what you're doing, for I haven't had word 
from you for weeks now. However, every day brings 
me nearer to receiving one, & no matter how late it is, just
as long as I get it, Im' satisfied. 
It's hardly any use asking what you are doing.
You may be in Libya, Palestine, or Crete. Don't think me
an old stick in the mud - but Im' hoping it's Palestine.
There's only camels, wogs and fleas to worry you there.
Im' not game to think you might be in Crete. That place 
must be worse than Hell (pardon the language.) We are
all praying that our Anzacs and the rest can hold on to it
in spite of the terrific doing they are getting.
   War news over here is mainly centred around the
sinking of the Bismarck a few days ago, and President
Roosevelt's speech last Monday. Revenge is sweet they say,
and when applied to the sinking of Germany's biggest battleship
"they" are pretty right. Naturally, when the "Hood" went under 

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